PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD disability rating was increased to 70% and his benefits were adjusted for the period of incarceration from May 23, 2013 to January 3, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, claimed as the result of ionizing radiation exposure is remanded.,The issues of effective dates prior to May 5, 2017, for service connection for lumbosacral strain, right thumb injury residuals with distal interphalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joint arthritis, and left third finger laceration residuals are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder and diabetes mellitus with associated bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation from May 21, 2012 to March 13, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to August 27, 2015 did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent due to occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination using DSM-IV criteria for PTSD. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if they have a current diagnosis of PTSD and whether it is related to their service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to February 3, 2012. Service connection for emphysema and irritable bowel syndrome (secondary to diabetes) are granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for depressive disorder with anxiety and a lumbar spine disorder. Service connection was granted for PTSD and right knee disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent from May 28, 2010 to July 9, 2013. The case is remanded for further evaluation of the Veteran's PTSD and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as he does not have the condition. The cases for carcinoid tumor of the left lung and kidney disease are REMANDED due to lack of information on herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for higher evaluations for PTSD with major depressive disorder is remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records and release forms for private hospital records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disabilities. Additional development is needed, including verifying a reported stressor and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened and remanded several issues for further development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral hearing loss disability, determine the etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disability, determine the etiology of any current lumbar spine disability, and determine the etiology of his actinic keratosis.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disability is related to service and the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, and depression, has been granted.

The Veteran is granted SMC at the 'l' rate for PTSD and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o) due to his need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination and to obtain outstanding medical records. The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse is rated at 50 percent, but the Board believes more information is needed to determine if it warrants a higher rating.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of a confirmed stressor and current diagnosis. The claims for neck condition, right foot condition as secondary to neck condition, and depression as secondary to neck condition are remanded for further development.

The application to reopen the claim for PTSD due to Military Sexual Trauma was denied.,The application to reopen the claim for Acute Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Chronic Pain and Edema of Right Knee was denied. However, a new evidence submission allowed the reopening of the claim for an Eye Condition (loss of sight in the right eye).

The Veteran's claim for a low back disability was reopened due to the submission of new evidence. Her service-connected PTSD is rated at 50%.,Her TDIU (total disability rating based on individual unemployability) and her low back disability are both granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70% rating prior to December 11, 2014 and denied for higher ratings thereafter. The Veteran's chronic sinus disability is granted at a 30% rating. A TDIU is granted prior to December 31, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and MDD, as well as his claim for TDIU due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD based on combat exposure in Vietnam.